Somalia’s PM ousted in no confidence vote

Published: 3:48 pm, Sunday, 7 December 2014
Somalia’s prime minister has lost a confidence vote in parliament after months of dispute with the country’s president and international concern that the turmoil was harming rebuilding efforts.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was given 30 days to name a new head of government for the war-torn nation after the vote on Saturday against Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, who had taken over the post a year ago.

Ahmed received support from only 80 MPs, while 153 backed a motion to oust him.

“The motion against the government has won,” said parliament speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari.

Ahmed has for months been locked in a power struggle with the president, prompting international backers to warn that the infighting was jeopardising fragile gains.

In October, the president accused Ahmed of “making outrageous decisions” and not consulting with him before a cabinet reshuffle in the Horn of Africa nation.

Ahmed said he accepted parliament’s decision but defended his record in office.

“My administration has been relentless in our pursuit for reform and we leave a solid foundation that carries the hopes and aspirations of all Somalis,” he said.

Mohamud for his part said he appreciated “the governing institutions for resolving the political conflict without external intervention.”

The turmoil has also come with the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabab rebels still carrying out regular attacks.

At least 15 people were killed on Friday in twin bomb blasts in the central town of Baidoa, the latest in a string of attacks.
– See more at: http://www.skynews.com.au/news/world/africa/2014/12/07/somalia-s-pm-ousted-in-no-confidence-vote.html#sthash.sUuvjQuC.dpuf